FCC to Set Up Plan for Unused TV Airwaves

Underscoring the high-tech industry’s growing clout with policymakers, the Federal Communications Commission on Thursday proposed allowing wireless Internet services to utilize unused television airwaves.

Commissioners pressed the plan despite objections from some television station owners that fear electrical interference with their broadcasts. FCC staff will next develop rules outlining how local TV stations would share vacant frequencies between channels 4 and 51.

The agency asked for public comment on the plan, which would allow anyone -- from entrepreneurs to backyard mechanics -- to utilize the channels as long as they do not interfere with over-the-air TV programming. Final rules authorizing the new service could be in place as soon as late fall, officials said.

The FCC’s proposal is aimed at meeting the growing demand for mobile communications such as the wireless networking standard known as Wi-Fi. The popular technology is used to connect consumers to the Internet in airports, coffee shops and on college campuses.

The FCC said the prospects of using TV spectrum to offer Wi-Fi and other wireless services were especially appealing because TV airwaves could “travel farther and can better penetrate into buildings” than those currently used by unlicensed wireless services.

“It promises to dramatically increase the availability and quality of wireless Internet connections -- the equivalent of doubling the number of lanes on a congested highway,” FCC Chairman Michael K. Powell said.

Technology companies hailed the FCC’s action, saying it would encourage innovation and solve the vexing problem of providing high-speed Internet access to consumers beyond the reach of current broadband networks.

“For more than half a century, vacant TV channels have been underutilized. Releasing this spectrum for unlicensed use will help foster new technologies, create opportunities for business, and bring exciting new products to consumers,” said Pat Gelsinger, chief technology officer for chip giant Intel Corp.

Although it was approved unanimously, commissioners Kevin J. Martin and Jonathan S. Adelstein seconded broadcasters’ concerns about potential interference and cautioned against moving too quickly.

They noted that the FCC was also managing broadcasters’ complex transition to new digital television service that promises sharper pictures and higher quality sound. But that transition -- which was supposed to end in 2006 -- could take as long as another decade to complete.

“It is worrisome that we are undertaking this proceeding right in the middle of our important digital television transition,” Adelstein said. “I have lingering concerns about the wisdom of allowing unlicensed operations in the vacant television bands before the ... [digital TV] transition is complete.”